National Republican., 1887-03-10

the small fry politicians OF his party are
not able to appreciate, has seen that even
division Of the colored votes In these states,
giving one half TO the Democrats, wouli
so reduce the Republican and increase the
Democratic vote as to make all these states
reasonably sure to the Democratic candi.
dates. Even Massachusetts,, with It's 5000,
and Kansas, with It's 5000 colored voters,
might be made Democratic, II these col
ored voters could be induced to vote the
Democratic ticket, through the offer held
out to them by President Cleveland in the
nomination Of Matthews and Trotter.
This is a new departure in Democratic
politics, and while, as we have said before,
there is every reason to believe that Pres-
dent Cleveland has been actuated in max
ing 1t by general desire for the good of
the country, there is no reason TO doubt
but what he also considered the political
advantages.
And IL is fair to assume that In inviting
the colored men Of the north to break the
solidity Of their race in favor Of one party,
his idea was, II patriotic, that the white
policy and thus destroy the race issue, break
down the color line, and thus have all the
people Of the country divided into political
parties upon great questions Of public
policy instead of upon the dangerous one
Of race prejudice.
The NATIONAL REPUBLICAN cordially &C.
cepts this new departure. 1t is genuine Re-
publicanism because 1t is genuine patriot
ism, no matter what motives inspired 1t, or
who proposes 1t.
The white men Of the south are, more
than any other class, interested in this great
question. They are the owners Of the soil
from which primarily comes all wealth.
Labor, skilled and unskilled, capital which
in nothing but labor condensed, are chary
Of investment IN any country whose pro-
gress is endangered by the presence Of SO
dangerous factor to peace and progress
as race prejudice.
The opportunity is offered them, the in
vitation given from their own chosen party
leader, that they should divide upon the
great economic questions which to-day
divide the political parties, and each for
himself follow that party whose ideas best
represent what he believes to be the best
interests of the country.
We say this invitation comes from Presi-
dent Cleveland, because 1t is the logical
eauence Of his invitation to the colored
men to do the same thing. President Cleve-
and is too wise man not to understand
his, and we believe he is too patriotic not
10 desire 1t.
Ard what should the colored men do?
The NATIONAL REPUBLICAN is a Repub-
lican newspaper because 1t believes In the
principles Of the Republican party. 1t un-
derstands fully the relations Of that party
to the colored men of the country. II
knows the grand work the party has done
for them, and what of good 1t has attempted
and failed to accomplish. 1t knows that
under our peculiar dual system of state and
national governments, each holding por-
tion Of the sovereignty, that the Republican
party, even with the full control of the
national government, could not remedy
some Of the evils under which the colored
men Of the south are now suffering, and 1t
believes that It will be the part of wisdom
for them to cease any longer TO be united as
mass in the Republican party.
No fair minded, honest man will deny
that in many states and sections of the
south the negroes are by fair means or foul
deprived Of that great privilege of Ameri-
can freemen, the right to vote for whomso-
eyer they may choose to fill all official post
tiona. This, as We have said previously,
is because they are solidly Republican aud
race prejudice is aroused against them.
At the late election In Atlanta, Ga, upon
the license question, the colored men di-
vided, some favoring and some opposing
licenses. The result was that the white
leaders Of the opposing parties each sought
as vigorously and by the same methods to
secure colored voters as they did to secure
white voters.
| II the colored men of the south should
| divide upon the questions which divide the
| political parties Of to-day as they did in
Atlanta upon the question in that local
election, they will find that the white men
| will divide In the same manner, and each
| party will endeavor as earnestly, aud In the
usual way Of recognition and support, to
secure colored voters. The white DemaI
Gratis will select colored men OF pr zine ence
TO strengthen their ticket, an1fhe Repub-
licans will pursue si1a,.Slfar course, and
hus each man willrh have the privilege OF
casting an honest, BALLOT and having 1t fairly
counted.
Inc eel2sed men having once secured this
ight, MI the other political rights Of citizen
!, sMp will follow, and thus the race preju
dice and color line In politics will be
broken down, never to be revived.